Subject Philosophy and the Question of God. Philosophy and Religion in Anton Friedrich Koch

Abstract

The article reconstructs the answer of Anton Friedrich Koch’s First Philosophy to the question of God. As a practical theologian, following Kant, Koch advocates an understanding of religion that offers the comforting prospect of transcendence to those who are disadvantaged in earthly life. Starting from the subjectivity thesis, that there can only be individuality in a space-time system with thinking, bodily subjects, Koch as a speculative theologian, in the wake of Hegel, develops a philosophical concept of God as an agent. This concept is unfolded in view of the Christian articles of faith in creation and divine judgment. The difficult question whether a divine agent could also act differently under Koch’s presuppositions – for instance by refraining from creating the world or by repaying right with wrong – receives particular attention.